Assessment of Central and South East Queensland 12-25 Year Old Farm Forestry Species Trials

By Greening Australia Queensland (Inc.)

January 2008

RIRDC Publication No 08/003 RIRDC Project No GAQ-1A

ISBN 1 74151 592 0 ISSN 1440-6845

Assessment of Central & South East Queensland 12-25 year old Farm Forestry Species Trials Publication No. 08/003 Project No. GAQ-1A

The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances.

While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication.

The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors..

The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication.

This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the RIRDC Publications Manager on phone 02 6271 4165.

Researcher Contact Details

Karen Steele Greening Australia Inc. Queensland 333 Bennetts Rd, Norman Park, Qld 4170

Phone: 07 3902 4444 Fax: 07 3902 4422 Email: [email protected]

In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form.

RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604

Phone: 02 6271 4100 Fax: 02 6271 4199 Email: [email protected]. Web: http://www.rirdc.gov.au

Published in January 2008 Printed by Canprint

ii Foreword

There is a growing interest and increasing opportunity for private landholders to become involved in hardwood plantations in Queensland, as timber harvesting is phased out of native forests from crown land by 2025 and new plantation supply is needed.

There are few older-age species trials and it is rare for them to be re-measured and assessed – but this data is important to verify species suitability to sites and long term growth and yield. Likewise, information on species suited to lower rainfall areas of Queensland is limited. This project assessed long term tree performance by gathering information from old farm forestry trial plots, aged 12-25 years, from the drier rainfall areas of central and south east Queensland. The focus was on species suited to sawlog production. The research is intended to help landholders and rural decision makers make informed choices about species-to-site matching for timber production, and to identify forestry tree trials suitable for further research.

In central Queensland, Corybmia citriodora (spotted gum) performed well on a variety of soils in the Rockhampton and Yeppoon areas, with the best results coming from well managed, block trials on duplex soils around the higher rainfall area of Yeppoon. There were three sites containing C. citriodora identified as worthy of further monitoring. From limited data, Eucalyptus argophloia (western white gum) indicated good promise as a production species for the Biloela region. Further monitoring of recent trials is recommended for this species, to better understand its performance under plantation conditions in this region. Gympie messmate (E. cloeziana) performed well around the high rainfall Yeppoon area when well sheltered.

In south east Queensland, C. henryi (large-leaved spotted gum) performed well at a site near Tarome. This species may have plantation potential in this region, but the affects of Ramularia shoot blight on the species would need to be investigated. Most other sites showed average to below average performance. From the trials assessed in southeast Queensland, the Tarome site was the only one site worthy of revisiting.

This project was funded by the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program (JVAP), which is supported by three R&D Corporations — Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), Land & Water Australia (L&WA), and Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation (FWPRDC), together with the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC). The R&D Corporations are funded principally by the Australian Government. State and Australian Governments contribute funds to the MDBC.

This report is an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1700 research publications. It forms part of our Agroforestry and Farm Forestry R&D program, which aims to integrate sustainable and productive agroforestry within Australian farming systems. The JVAP, under this program, is managed by RIRDC.

Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/index.html • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop

Peter O’Brien Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

iii Acknowledgments

Greening Australia Qld (Inc) would like to thank the invaluable technical advice and guidance provided by the members of the reference group, Rosemary Lott (RIRDC), John Huth (DPI&F), David Lee (DPI&F) and Darren Maxwell (Greening Australia Queensland Inc.).

I would like to also thank Ian Hanson of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Rockhampton, who composed and provided the very detailed Tree Assistance Scheme database for Central Queensland.

Howard Rogers (formerly of Greening Australia Queensland Inc) provided the assessments for the South East Queensland region and has contributed to several sections of this report.

The previous work carried out in south east Queensland by Geoff Borschmann, David Carr and Jim Johnston in 1991 and 2003 was a helpful reference for additional site details. David Carr also kindly lent Vertex measurement equipment for the central Queensland surveys.

Finally I would like to thank all the landholders involved in the early species trials who kindly welcomed us onto their properties, and who were able to provide details of the trials after such a long period.

iv Contents Foreword ...... iii Acknowledgments...... iv List of Tables and Figures...... vi Executive summary ...... vii Executive summary ...... vii Introduction ...... 1 Objectives...... 2 Methodology ...... 3 Site selection ...... 3 Field measurements...... 4 Tree axis of persistence...... 4 Stem form and straightness ...... 4 Branching habit ...... 4 Tree health and vigour ...... 5 Central Queensland specific methodology...... 5 South east Queensland specific methodology...... 6 Data analysis ...... 6 Results ...... 7 Limitations of results...... 7 Central Queensland results...... 7 Environmental conditions and regional variation in CQ...... 11 South East Queensland results ...... 12 Environmental conditions ...... 12 Discussion ...... 16 Site performance and management...... 16 Environmental variables...... 16 Species performance and failure ...... 16 Casuarina cunninghamiana ...... 16 Corymbia citriodora ...... 16 Corymbia henryi...... 17 Corymbia tessellaris ...... 17 Corymbia torelliana...... 18 Eucalyptus argophloia...... 18 Eucalyptus cloeziana...... 18 Eucalyptus crebra...... 19 Eucalyptus drepanophylla ...... 19 Eucalyptus dunnii...... 19 Eucalytus microcorys ...... 19 Eucalyptus moluccana...... 20 Eucalyptus punctata ...... 20 Implications...... 21 Central Queensland ...... 21 South east Queensland...... 21 Recommendations ...... 22 Species to site matching ...... 22 Future work ...... 22 References ...... 23 Appendix 1 – Central Queensland site profiles...... 25 Appendix 2 – South east Queensland site profiles ...... 35 Appendix 3 – Rainfall and geology maps ...... 35

List of Tables and Figures

Table 1. Survival, average height and diameter, and form ratings of key species planted on ten sites in central Queensland...... 8 Figure 1. Mean annual increment for diameter at breast height and height for key species planted on ten sites in central Queensland...... 10 Figure 2. Mean height to crown break of key species planted on ten sites in central Queensland...... 10 Table 2. Climatic conditions for trial site regions of central Queensland ...... 11 Figure 3. Regional variation in height and diameter at breast height per year for key species at ten sites of central Queensland (measured in December 2005)...... 11 Table 3. Climatic conditions for trial site regions of south east Queensland ...... 11 Table 4. Survival, average height and diameter, and form ratings for reasonably performing species planted at south east Queensland sites from 1984 to 1985...... 12 Figure 4. Mean annual increment for diameter at breast height and height of reasonably performing species planted on seven sites in south east Queensland…………………………………13 Figure 5. Mean height to crown break of reasonably performing species planted at seven sites in south east Queensland………………………………………………………………… …13 Figure 6. Form ratings for reasonably performing species planted at seven sites in south east Queensland...... 15

vi Executive summary

What the report is about This report evaluates a range of older-age species trials established in central and south east Queensland low to medium rainfall zones. The report provides information on the success and failure of potential plantation species, and identifies which of the early forestry tree plantings are suitable for further research. The information is useful as there is little published data on older-age growth of species in low to medium rainfall regions on Queensland.

Who is the report targeted at? This information will help primary producers, natural resource consultants, regional forest associations and researchers make informed choices about species-to-site matching for timber production.

Background There is proximity to ports and processing, and suitable land and climate for growing hardwood species in plantation in central and south east Queensland. Forest industry investors are currently expanding in these regions. There are also opportunities for farm forestry. However long term growth data on which to predict yield, is limited for most species and sites.

Between 1980 and 1993, over 500 trial plots of native species were established across central and southeast Queensland. Some south east Queensland trials were re-measured in 2003, but otherwise none of the trials had been reviewed to determine their condition and tree growth. Revisiting these early species trials gave the opportunity to assess species performance on a range of sites.

Aims The objectives of this current study were a) to locate, survey and report on the condition of species in these plantings, and b) identify which of the early forestry tree plantings are suitable for further research.

Methods The database containing central Queensland site information was filtered with selection criteria based on target species and management history, in order to select suitable sites for further investigation. Ten sites in CQ were assessed based on the results of this selection process. After collating and analysing available data on the southeast Queensland sites, rapid-appraisal site assessments were carried out. From this region, seven sites had species showing at least reasonable performance which were worthy of measurement.

Trees were measured for their height, height to crown break, diameter at breast height and various form ratings such as stem straightness. Sites were also assessed in terms of management input, rainfall, soil type, planting layout and survival rates.

Results From the central Queensland data, several observations were made: • Corymbia citriodora (spotted gum) performed well on a variety of soils in the Rockhampton and Yeppoon areas, with the best results from well managed, block trials on duplex soils around the higher rainfall area of Yeppoon. • From limited data, Eucalyptus argophloia (western white gum) indicated good promise as a production species for the Biloela region. • E. cloeziana (Gympie messmate) performed well on sheltered areas around the high rainfall Yeppoon area. • Most of the remaining unsuccessful species were strip-planted in low numbers for amenity.

vii In south east Queensland: • C. henryi (large-leaved spotted gum) did well at a site near Tarome. This species may have plantation potential in this region, but the effect of Ramularia shoot blight on the species needs to be investigated. • E. argophloia and E. punctata (grey gum) showed average performance, while most others species performed poorly

Recommendations • In terms of future research, three well managed C. citriodora block trials in central Queensland and one site from south east Queensland containing C. henryi may be of interest for future monitoring. • The effects of Ramularia shoot blight on C. henryi in south east Queensland needs to be investigated before it can be recommended for more widespread planting • Further monitoring of Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) trials is recommended for E. argophloia, to understand the performance of this species under plantation conditions in the Biloela region. • A range of other species which were planted in narrow strips could not reasonably be assessed for growth performance. To deduce useful farm forestry information, well-managed, block trial assessments for these species need to be undertaken.

viii Introduction

The Queensland Government proposes to phase out timber harvesting of native forests from crown land by 2025. After this, hardwood sawlog production will come from private native forest and plantations. Consequently there is an increasing opportunity for landholders to become involved in hardwood plantations via farm forestry. Private landholders are currently benefiting from joint venture plantations with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and various forestry investment companies for both short-rotation hardwood pulp species and sawlog species.

However, opportunities are confined to a restricted number of species that have known site and climatic requirements. Development of new opportunities across a wider site and climatic range is partly dependent upon trialling new species and provenances. DPI&F have recently established an extensive tree species trial program over a range of sites and climates. However the results from these trials will not be known for some time (until trials reach maturity). There has been no comprehensive overview of old forestry tree trial plots and little research completed on the performance of possible plantation species in low rainfall regions of Queensland.

Greening Australia Queensland (Inc) (GAQ) established 500 native species trial plots across south east Queensland (Lockyer and Fassifern valleys) and central Queensland (Fitzroy basin) from 1980 to 1993. This work was part of the Commonwealth Government Community Employment Program with support from CSIRO Forests and Forest Products, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Lockyer Watershed Management Association. Plots were established for a variety of reasons including shade and windbreaks, alleviating water-logging, creating amenity and timber production.

This report details the growth and survival rates and tree form ratings of these trials, discusses aspects of the sites and reports on the success or otherwise of tree species on specific sites. Recommendations as to the suitability of tree species are provided along with recommendations for future research.

1 Objectives

The principal objectives of the study were to locate, record and report on early forest tree trials planted from 1980 to 1993 in Central and South East Queensland, and to identify early forestry tree plantings suitable for future research.

This study reviewed the large number of trials plots currently underway then selected and visited suitable sites. From the selected sites, tree measurements and site information were collected and summarised.

The information generated from this project aims to: • assist rural decision makers such as primary producers, natural resource consultants, regional forest associations and researchers to make more informed choices about species-to-site matching for timber production • provide direction for further research.

2 Methodology

The methodology for this project involved firstly collating and assessing trial information for south east Queensland (SEQ). Landholders were contacted and a rapid appraisal of SEQ sites was undertaken during January 2005. The SEQ data collection methods were reviewed and detailed selection criteria and a different data collection method was formulated for central Queensland (CQ) sites. CQ site assessments were undertaken in December 2005.

Site selection SEQ sites were selected and assessed first. Information was collated on 59 sites based on original planting records (see Appendix 3), plot data entry sheets, and a report (Borschmann and Johnston, 1991) detailing results from an assessment of 25 of the original sites. For most of the SEQ sites the original planting maps and trial design information no longer existed. Moreover, several sites lacked any current contact information or site location details. A rapid appraisal approach was taken to visit and survey as many SEQ sites as possible that had documented site location details. Field measurements were carried out at sites where species showed milling potential.

For CQ there is a database of 443 sites involved in the Early Forest Tree Trials from 1980 to 1993. Selection criteria was developed by the reference group (refer to Acknowledgements section) after the SEQ rapid appraisal was carried out, in order to filter the CQ database to a smaller number of sites. The selection criteria were: • plots containing Eucalyptus and Corymbia species • trials established with the objective of timber production • trial of a size sufficient to provide replicate samples for measurement • trials in a block design

Contact with CQ landholders was then attempted on the 86 filtered sites, in order to determine current site condition. Sites that were known to have performed poorly (low survival and/or poor growth) were excluded. A short list of 15 sites was prioritised depending on the presence of key species (species where more research is required, as determined by the reference group), followed by site condition and performance.

The key species for CQ were: • Corymbia citriodora (spotted gum), due to the large number of trees to be measured and time constraints this species was not identified to the sub species level. • Corymbia tessellaris (carbeen) • Corymbia torelliana (cadaghi) • Eucalyptus argophloia (western white gum) • Eucalyptus cloeziana (Gympie messmate) • Eucalyptus drepanophylla (grey ironbark) • Eucalyptus moluccana (gum topped box)

The following species were considered important, but of lower priority than those listed above: • Casuarina glauca (swamp oak) • Eucalyptus camaldulensis (river red gum) • Eucalyptus cambageana (Dawson gum) • Eucalyptus crebra (narrow leaved ironbark) • Eucalyptus sideroxylon (red ironbark)

Field measurements A more thorough assessment was required by the project reference group for CQ, the second region to be assessed. Because of this there are differences in the methodology used for CQ and SEQ.

For trees at both CQ and SEQ sites the following was recorded: • Diameter at breast height (DBH) - measured at 1.3 m above ground level • Height (to nearest 10 cm) using a Vertex • Height to crown break (to nearest 10 cm) using a Vertex • Position in the stand (edge or internal) • Axis of persistence • Stem straightness • Branch habit • Health

The tree form rating system used for the surveys is outlined below, and based on McLeod et al. (in press).

Tree axis of persistence Axis of persistence describes whether the tree is single stemmed or multi-stemmed, and if both, where the change occurs. It is the ‘persistence’ of the single stem that is scored. The score is related to the quarter of the tree in which any change from single to multi stem takes place. The following rating system was used.

Rating Code 6 Complete persistence 5 Axis loses persistence in the top or fourth quarter of tree 4 Axis loses persistence in the third quarter of the tree 3 Axis loses persistence in the second quarter of the tree 2 Axis loses persistence in the lowest or first quarter of the tree 1 There are double or multiple stems from ground level

Stem form and straightness Stem form and straightness are only assessed for the main stem of trees with axis persistence score of 4 or greater. The following rating system was used.

Rating Code 6 Excellent tree, very straight 5 Very good tree, one minor deviation from straightness 4 Good tree, two deviations from straightness 3 Average tree, three deviations from straightness 2 Poor tree, five deviations from straightness 1 Extremely poor tree with multiple deviations

Branching habit The following scoring system for the branching habit of a tree can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the species being assessed. In the table, ‘<10% of stem diameter’ means the tree’s average branch diameter is less than 10% of the average diameter of the main stem (or trunk).

Rating Code 6 Very light branching, <10% of stem diameter 5 Light branching, 10% of diameter 4 Moderate branching, 10–20% of stem diameter 3 Heavy branching, 20–30% of stem diameter 2 Very heavy branching, 30–50% of stem diameter 1 Extremely heavy branching, >50% of stem diameter

Tree health and vigour Individual tree health and vigour was scored in conjunction with height measurements. The following rating system was used.

Rating Code 6 Excellent health or vigour 5 Very good health or vigour 4 Good health or vigour 3 Poor health or vigour 2 Very poor health or vigour 1 Dying or dead

These measurements and form ratings provided a good snapshot of tree performance for both growth rates and appearance.

Other data For each species at a site, survival rate was either estimated or calculated based on the original planting details. Soils were classified by appearance in the field, and then by desktop assessment using Natural Resources and Mines (NRM) Interactive Resource and Tenure Maps (Natural Resources and Mines, 2005) Atlas of Soils description. Rainfall data was collected from landholders. When this was not available, rainfall data from the closest Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) weather station was used.

Central Queensland specific methodology The CQ survey aimed to gather at least three replicates of 20 plants of each key species at a site (or as many as possible if survival was low). The survey also aimed to gather information from at least three different properties as replicates for each key species. Only the top ten performing plants of each key species were assessed at each site. A photo was taken, and a score given for product potential (see below) for the top ten trees for each target species at each site. Product potential scores are only an indication of how the timber could be utilised at harvest.

Rating Product 6 All pole 5 Sawlog or pole 4 All sawlog 3 Pulp/woodchip or sawlog 2 Pulp/woodchip 1 Useless (Not worth harvesting)

South East Queensland specific methodology As part of the rapid appraisal for SEQ sites, five to ten representative individuals of each species that performed acceptably were measured. No product potential rating was allocated.

Data analysis Where sufficient numbers of trees were sampled, the height and DBH measurements were converted to average growth per year in order to compare between sites of different age. The collected data was analysed for mean and standard deviation. When sites had less than five representatives of a species, measurements were recorded in the comments section for each site (refer Appendix 1 and 2), and results shown in Table 1, but the data was not summarised. There were three replicates of 20 trees for C. citriodora across three different CQ sites, but because plantings were carried out over a 13- year period (1980, 1991 and 1993) in-depth statistical comparisons were not made. Most other species had from five to 30 specimens per site.

6 Results

Limitations of results Before selecting suitable sites, landholders were contacted. Due to the age of the trials (up to 25 years) many of the properties had changed hands over the years; some landholders had harvested or removed the tree plots while many other trials had died from drought. This limited the number of sites suitable for survey.

Historical details for some sites were also unavailable. Most commonly, details on management, species planted and number planted were missing. This restricts the interpretation of results.

Upon visiting sites, it was often discovered that some of the trials had not gone ahead, certain species recorded in the database were not planted, or species provided for the trial were different from those recorded on the database. In some cases previous trials were present and measured instead.

Central Queensland results Of the 15 priority sites in CQ, ten were visited (Table 1). The sites varied considerably in age, regional conditions and management input. Of the ten visited sites, four had been planted in block design for timber production and six were planted mostly to address amenity or erosion control issues.

Average results for CQ measurements and survival rates and standard deviation are presented in Table 1. Average annual increment for height and DBH, and mean height to crown break measurements are shown in Figures 1 and 2. Detailed site profiles, form ratings and photos for each site are in Appendix 1.

In this report, sites are referred to by their location, rather landholder’s name. The sites named Callide East and Callide West are north of Biloela. The sites Rockhampton, Glenmore and Alton Downs are in the Rockhampton area. Bungundarra, Farnborough, Cawarral and the Forestry Trial are around Yeppoon. Marmor is half way between Rockhampton and Gladstone (see Appendix 3).

Table 1. Survival, average height and diameter, and form ratings of key species planted on ten sites in Central Queensland (measurements taken December 2005). Averages Ht/year Crown DBH/ % edge Region and Age Number Number Survival Ht DBH Axis of Stem Branch Product (m) break year (cm) affected site name (years) Key Species planted surviving (%) (m) (cm) persistence straightness habit Health potential (st.dev) ht (m) (st.dev) (top 10) Biloela Callide East 19 E. argophloia 50* 11 22* 19.81.04 2.7 41.5 2.18 3.4 3.9 2.9 5.6 4.1 100 (0.19) (0.28) E. camaldulensis 50* 8 16* 11.00.58 2.0 29.5 1.55 2.6 2.8 2.4 3.8 2.4 100 (0.18) (0.44) C. citriodora 75 9 12 12.40.65 3.1 22.1 1.17 3.6 4.4 3.0 4.4 3.4 14 (0.21) (0.41) E. crebra 25* 8 32* 9.00.47 2.8 18.3 0.97 3.7 4.1 3.1 4.0 2.0 42 (0.12) (0.41) E. moluccana 75 35 46 11.50.60 2.7 22.9 1.21 2.8 3.5 3.3 3.9 2.3 8 (0.13) (0.28) E. sideroxylon 75 35 46 11.20.59 3.2 26.4 1.39 2.7 2.7 2.6 4.1 2.6 100 (0.13) (0.37) C. tessellaris 75 5 7 9.9 0.52 2.2 18.4 0.97 3.0 3.0 3.0 5.0 2.7 100 8 (0.23) (0.47) Callide West 12 E. argophloia 40 1 NA 17.0 4.6 32 4.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 4.0 100 E. crebra 40 11 27 10.80.90 2.9 24.4 2.04 3.4 3.3 2.7 4.0 2.6 100 (0.14) (0.36) Marmor Marmor 12 C. citriodora 300 150 50 13.3 1.11 6.5 11.0 0.92 3.8 4.6 3.9 4.2 4.2 20 (0.20) (0.30) Rockhampton Alton Downs 20 E. argophloia 37 6 16 11.40.57 2.3 23.1 1.16 4.0 3.4 4.6 3.2 2.4 100 (0.10) (0.32) E. citriodora 37 9 24 9.60.48 3.4 12.7 0.64 3.2 2.3 3.7 3.7 2.0 100 (0.10) (0.23) E. moluccana 37 17 46 12.30.62 2.0 25.4 1.27 2.8 3.9 2.8 3.8 2.7 100 (0.09) (0.18) C. torelliana 37 16 43 6.3 0.32 1.4 15.0 0.75 2.5 3.4 2.3 3.8 1.9 100 (0.09) (0.24) Glenmore 14 C. citriodora 10–30* 5 16–50* 10.0 0.71 3.4 14.7 1.05 3.4 4.0 3.6 3.8 1.8 80 (0.05) (0.18) E. drepanophylla 10–30* 5 16–50* 8.7 0.62 2.1 15.9 1.14 3.6 4.0 4.2 4.0 1.6 60 (0.16) (0.33) E. moluccana 10–30* 6 20–60* 15.5 1.10 2.0 23.6 1.69 2.8 3.7 2.8 3.8 2.5 0 (0.37) (0.46) E. sideroxylon 10–30* 3 10–30* 10.0 0.2 14.5 2.0 1.3 4.0 3.7 1.3 33

Rockhampton 15 C. citriodora 100 90 90 11.60.77 6.1 11.4 0.76 4.4 4.4 4.5 4.1 4.3 20 (0.35) (0.22) Yeppoon Bungundarra 14* E. camaldulensis unknown 4* – 14.9 3.6 19.3 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.6 2.7 0 C. citriodora unknown 14* – 16.1 1.15 7.3 15.6 1.11 3.7 4.2 4.1 4.1 2.9 0 (0.32) (0.38) E. cloeziana unknown 16* – 19.3 1.57 6.8 22.0 1.57 4.0 4.5 4.2 4.7 3.9 0 (0.20) (0.49) C. torelliana unknown 11* – 10.6 0.76 2.0 14.7 1.05 3.0 3.3 3.1 3.9 2.3 0 (0.16) (0.35) Cawarral 25 C. citriodora 1000* 400 40* 19.7 0.79 8.9 20.9 0.84 3.5 4.5 4.2 4.1 5.0 80 (0.21) (0.29) Farnborough 14 C. citriodora 40* 24 60* 13.40.95 5.8 15.3 1.09 3.6 3.6 4.0 4.1 3.4 50 (0.22) (0.31) E. cloeziana 20* 3 15* 8.7 1.5 14.2 2.3 3.7 3.3 3.3 1.7 100 C. torelliana 20* 10 15* 6.7 0.48 2.2 11.7 0.84 2.8 3.5 3.2 3.6 1.3 100 (0.09) (0.12) Forestry Trial 4 C. citriodora 80 70 87* 9.32.32 4.7 10.0 2.51 3.7 4.5 4.7 3.9 1.9 20 (0.37) (0.82) E. cloeziana 15 15 100 8.22.06 1.0 12.3 3.08 2.7 3.6 3.5 4.0 1.9 20

9 (0.32) (0.51) E. drepanophylla 20 17 85 6.7 1.67 1.1 10.8 2.71 4.3 3.5 4.3 4.2 2.0 0 (0.31) (0.47) C. torelliana 15 12 80 5.8 1.46 0.6 11.0 2.75 3.7 4.5 3.5 4.1 2.0 10 (0.44) (0.69) * specific detail unavailable, approximate number only.

4.00

3.50

DBH/year 3.00 Height/year

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00 Growth - DBH/ year Height (cm), (m) 0.50

0.00 E. crebra E. crebra C. torelliana C. torelliana C. torelliana C. torelliana C. citriodora C. citriodora C. citriodora C. citriodora C. C. citriodora C. citriodora C. cloeziana E. citriodora C. citriodora C. citriodora C. cloeziana E. C. tessellaris argophloia E. argophloia E. E. moluccana E. moluccana E. moluccana E. sideroxylonE. E. camaldulensis E. drepanophylla E. E. drepanophylla E. Callide East CallideMarmor Alton Dow ns Glenmore Rock- Bungundarra Caw arralFarnborough Forestry Trial West hampton

Location and species Figure 1. Mean annual increment for diameter at breast height and height for key species planted on ten sites in Central Queensland (tree age 4-25 years, measurements taken December 2005).

4 Height to crown break (m) break crown to Height

0 E. E. E. E. crebra E. crebra C. torelliana C. torelliana C. torelliana C. citriodora C. C. citriodora C. C. torelliana C. citriodora citriodora C. C. citriodora citriodora C. citriodora C. C. citriodora citriodora C. citriodora C. cloeziana E. citriodora C. citriodora C. cloeziana E. C. tessellaris argophloia E. E. argophloia argophloia E. E. moluccanaE. E. moluccanaE. E. moluccanaE. drepanophylla drepanophylla camaldulensis camaldulensis E. sideroxylon Callide East (1986) Callide Marmor Alton Dow ns (1985) Glenmore Roc k- Bungundarra Caw arral Farnborough Forestry Trial (2001) West (1993) (1991) hampton (1991 approx) (1980) (1991) (1993) (1990)

Location, year planted and species Figure 2. Mean height to crown break of key species planted on ten sites in Central Queensland (tree age 4-25 years, measurements taken December 2005).

Sites that performed well include: • the Forestry Trial site – this planting had very good growth rates but a low average crown break (this planting was due for ground pruning). • the 25-year-old planting at Cawarral, the Marmor site, and the Rockhampton C. citriodora plot. These sites had only an average growth rate but good form and high crown breaks. • the E. argophloia at Callide East at also performed well with reasonable yearly growth rates, but a low crown break from lack of pruning.

• The Bungundarra scattered planting showed good results with tall, healthy trees, but the age of the planting could only been estimated.

Poor performing sites include Alton Downs and the Callide East strip plantings, the small block planting at Glenmore and the Strip plantings at Farnborough and Callide West showed average performance.

Appendix 1 contains detailed site profiles for CQ sites and graphs the results of tree form ratings.

Environmental conditions and regional variation in central Queensland

Table 2. Climatic conditions for trial site regions of Central Queensland taken from Bureau of Meteorology website, 2006. Averages / year Region Site record Years of Elevation Rainfall Max Min Humidity number measure- above sea (mm) temp temp (%) ment level (m) (°C) (°C) Biloela Callide East, 1924– 175 683 28.3 12.9 64 at 9am Callide West 1996 Rockhampton Rockhampton, 1939– 10 805 28.3 16.6 69 (9am) Alton Downs, 2004 47 (3pm) Glenmore Yeppoon Bungundarra, 1891– 75 1312 25.5 17.3 73 Garnborough, 2004 Cawarral

The climatic conditions between these regions varies considerably. This can be expected to impact on species performance. Landholder records have shown that average rainfall for the last 10–15 years has been much lower than the Bureau of Meteorology averages provided above.

4.00

3.50 DBH/year 3.00 Height/year 2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

Growth / year - DBH (cm), Height (m) Height - DBH (cm), Growth year / 0.00 Biloela Biloela Biloela Biloela Biloela Biloela Biloela Marmor Yeppoon Yeppoon Yeppoon Yeppoon Yeppoon Yeppoon Yeppoon Yeppoon Yeppoon Yeppoon Rockhampton Rockhampton Rockhampton Rockhampton Rockhampton Rockhampton Rockhampton Rockhampton C. citriodora C. C. torelliana E. argophloia E. E. cloeziana E. E. E. moluc c ana E. tessellaris camaldulensis crebra drepanophylla sideroxylon Species and region

Figure 3. Regional variation in performance of key species (height and diameter at breast height per year) at ten sites of Central Queensland (tree age 4-25 years, measured in December 2005).

Overall, C. citriodora performed the best in the Yeppoon region in terms of mean annual height and DBH. E. cloeziana also showed good results in the Yeppoon region, at the Bungundarra and Forestry Trial sites. E. argophloia showed much better performance in the Biloela region than the

Rockhampton region. There were no outstanding performances for C. tessellaris, E. camaldulensis, E. sideroxylon and E. moluccana. Corymbia torelliana and E. drepanophylla performed well at the Forestry Trial Site in Yeppoon, but not in other regions where they were grown.

South East Queensland results

Of the 23 sites visited in SEQ, there were seven that showed promise of commercial timber value making them worthy of tree measurement. Most of these sites only contained one species that performed well. The Tarome site had three species with over 50% survival rate. The high survival rate may be attributed to a high level of maintenance by the landholder. The Mt Berryman and Gatton sites had 50–60% survival rate for two species.

The remaining 15 sites visited were rejected for measurement because they had no commercial timber value other than a small quantity of firewood. Failed sites were generally so poor that no detailed inspection was made. These sites were characterised by a few remaining widely-spaced trees with very poor form and no commercial timber value.

SEQ landholders considered drought to be the main factor causing high mortality in the establishment phase. Other reasons for tree mortality given by landholders include frost associated with drought, damage from hares, poor quality planting stock, poor quality planting and the use of inappropriate species for the site. Lack of suitable site maintenance is likely to have also contributed.

Environmental conditions The SEQ trial sites are located in climatically similar areas, so relative growth rates are not expected to be greatly influenced by climatic differences.

Table 3. Climatic conditions for trial site regions of South East Queensland taken from Bureau of Meteorology website, 2006. Averages / year Elevation Maximum Minimum Humidity Years of Region above sea Rainfall temp temp (%) at measurement level (m) (mm) (°C) (°C) 9am Gatton DPI 1968–2004 93 790 26.7 13.1 72 Ipswich 1870–2004 40 877 27.1 13.7 67

Rainfall for the region is between 790 mm and 877 mm/year (Gatton DPI Research station and Ipswich weather station respectively). Lockyer and Fassifern Valleys experience on average from one to three light frosts (–1°C) in most years. Sixty percent of rain falls during the summer months (December to March), with autumn and early spring often the driest periods. Gatton has on average eight frosts per year; these are more common in low lying alluvial areas (Harper et al., 1999).

The SEQ site results are shown below in Table 4. Average height measurements and DBH, height to crown break and form ratings are displayed in Figures 4, 5 and 6 respectively. Detailed site profiles are given in Appendix 2.

Overall, the mean annual increments for height and DBH were lower for SEQ, when compared to CQ. C. henryi at Tarome, E. punctata at Kalbar Showgrounds and E. argophloia at Kalbar North showed the best annual height and DBH for SEQ sites.

Table 4 Survival, average height and diameter, and form ratings for reasonably performing species planted at South East Queensland sites from 1984 to 1985 (measured in January 2005) Averages Survival Ht/year Ht to DBH/yr Site name Stem Branch Axis of Species Rate Ht (m) crown DBH (cm) Health and number straightness habit persistence (%) (st.dev) break (st.dev) Boonah C. cunninghamiana unknown 11.2 0.55 3.4 28.4 1.35 5.1 4.2 4.1 4.6 (0.06) (0.19) Gatton C. citriodora 60 9.8 0.46 3.7 14.9 0.71 5.2 4.0 4.0 4.4 (0.08) (0.17) E. moluccana 50 10.7 0.51 2.6 19.2 0.91 4.0 4.4 3.2 5.0 (0.10) (0.26) 13 Forest Hill E. crebra unknown 11.3 0.53 4.7 19.9 0.94 5.0 3.0 3.0 5.0 Sports Ground (0.03) (0.12) Kalbar North E. argophloia 59 18.3 0.87 8.6 30.0 1.43 5.0 4.0 4.4 4.8 (0.11) (0.21) Kalbar E. punctata unknown 17.9 0.85 10.6* 31.5 1.5 4.6 3.6 4.4 5.0 Showgrounds (0.15) (0.28) Mt Berryman C. citriodora 60 13.1 0.62 4.5 24.1 1.15 5.8 4.2 4.0 4.6 (0.09) (0.17) E. drepanophylla 60 11.0 0.52 4.0 26.8 1.27 5.0 4.3 4.0 4.7 (0.12) (0.26) Tarome C. henryi 54 22.3 1.06 12.6 32.9 1.56 4.5 4.0 5.5 5.8 (0.06) 2003* (0.11) E. dunnii 63 16.0 0.76 9.8 26.4 1.26 4.8 3.8 5.6 4.4 (0.09) 2003* (0.24) E. microcorys 62 14.2 0.67 6.5 28.3 1.34 5.6 3.4 3.4 4.8 (0.18) 2003* (0.12) *measurements taken from Borschmann (2003).

1.8 DBH/year 1.6 Ht/year

ight (m) 1.4

1.2

0.8 DBH (cm), he DBH (cm),

0.6

0.4

0.2

Growth / year - 0 E.dunii C.henryi E.crebra E.punctata C.citriodora C.citriodora E.argophloia E.moluccana E.microcorys Casuarina E.drepanophylla cunninghamiana Boonah Forest Hill Gatton Kalbar Kalbar Mt Ber r y man Tar ome Sports North Show grounds Ground

Location and species Figure 4. Mean annual increment for diameter at breast height and height of reasonably performing species planted on seven sites in South East Queensland (tree age 20-21 years, measurements taken January 2005).

5 Height to crown (m) break

0 E. dunii E. C. henryi C. crebraE. E. citriodora E. C. citriodora E. punctata* punctata* E. E. argophloia E. E. moluccana E. E. microcorysE. cunninghamiana E. drepanophyllaE. Boonah Forest Hill Gatton Kalbar Kalbar* Mt Berryman Tarome* Sports North Show grounds Ground

Location and species *measurements taken from Borschmann (2003). Figure 5. Mean height to crown break of reasonably performing species planted at seven sites in South East Queensland (tree age 20-21 years, measurements taken January 2005).

Figure 5 shows that the two sites at Kalbar, and the Tarome site reached the highest average crown break height. C. henryi, E. punctata, E. argophloia and E. dunnii all had an average height to crown break exceeding 8.5 m.

5 Axis of Per s is tenc e

4 Stem straightness 3 Branching Rating (1-6) Rating habit 2 Health 1

0 E. dunii E. C. henryi C. crebraE. E. punctataE. C. citriodora C. citriodora E. argophloia E. E. moluccana E. E. mircrocorys E. cunninghamiana E. drepanophyllaE. Boonah Forest Hill Gatton Kalbar Kalbar Mt Ber r y man Tar ome Sports North Show grounds Ground Location and species

Figure 6. Average form ratings for reasonably performing species planted at seven sites in South East Queensland (tree age 20-21 years, measurements taken January 2005)

C. citriodora at Mt Berryman grew very straight stems. E. microcorys and E. crebra from Forest Hill Sports Ground had heavy branching. C. henryi and E. dunnii both had high axis of persistence.

Discussion

Site performance and management The site results show a link between site management and tree performance. Those sites with a higher level of professional management and layout produced better performing trees. The block trials (Forestry Trial site, Cawarral, Rockhampton and Marmor) showed better survival rates, average to good growth rates, and produced a product with commercial potential as sawlogs or poles. In contrast, plantings with inappropriate layout performed poorly. For example, strip plantings, even when receiving a good weed control and site management (e.g. Callide West) yielded little product potential due to the edge effect (reduced height, low branching, crooked stems and/or double leaders) and lack of appropriate pruning and maintenance. Note that it is possible to grow quality, wide- spaced trees suitable for milling, providing they are carefully pruned and managed to achieve large diameter, knot-free heartwood and clearwood stems of 3.6 or more than 6 metres.

Most of the sites in SEQ that were worthy of measurement contained block designs. Again, this was due to a higher product potential produced at sites with a block layout, rather than those that were primarily edge. Unlike the block trials in CQ mentioned above, none of the SEQ sites were planted in sufficient numbers to harvest trees for profit.

Environmental variables With large variations in management input and age of planting between sites in CQ, it is difficult to make definite conclusions on the effect of environmental variables on species performance. In general, the region around Yeppoon was able to grow a wider range of species with better timber potential, but the plantings in this area were also grown and managed more professionally compared with those at Rockhampton and Biloela. C. citriodora did well in both low and high rainfall areas at Marmor and Yeppoon, and performed well on hard pedal yellow and red duplex soils. A slower growth rate was achieved on grey, self mulching, cracking clay in an alluvial area of Rockhampton. E. argophloia performed well at Biloela where rainfall is low and temperatures are more extreme.

Unlike the CQ sites, all SEQ sites were planted around the same time (1984–1985), and are located a maximum of 80 km from each other in the Lockyer and Fassifern Valleys. The climatic conditions do not vary greatly between the SEQ sites. The relative success or failure of species here is related mostly to management input rather than environmental variations.

Species performance and failure Casuarina cunninghamiana The Boonah site in SEQ provided sufficient conditions for C. cunninghamiana to grow straight, thick stems. With a crown break height of 3.4 m, these trees could be harvested for sawlogs (Boxshall & Jenkyn, 2001). This species prefers a sandy soil and with either high rainfall or a supplementary water supply in low rainfall areas (>375 mm) but will grow in various soil types from acidic to near neutral clays, sands and silty loams (Boxshall & Jenkyn 2001). Casuarina cunninghamiana was also grown at the Kalbar Showgrounds and did not display product potential at this site due to edge effects.

Corymbia citriodora Due to time constraints and number of trees to be measured, C. citriodora was not classified to the sub species level. It is most likely that C. citriodora subsp. citriodora was planted in CQ, while C. citriodora subsp. variegata was used in the SEQ trials.

This species is known to grow successfully in Queensland under a variety of conditions, and naturally has a tall straight stem with little branching. C. citriodora will cope with soils of low to high fertility, good to moderately impeded drainage, low to medium salinity, low to moderately high

pH, and sites that experience a moderate frequency of non-severe frosts (DPI&F, 2006). They typically do not perform well in cracking soil (black earth and grey clays) as the surface roots do not cope well with exposure caused by cracking (DPI&F, 2005a). Under good trial conditions growth rates of 6.4 m in two years were reached for C. citriodora subsp. citriodora at Miriam Vale (Dickinson et al., 2005b) and 6.1–6.8 in three years north of Monto (Dickinson et al., 2005a).

From the CQ sites, C. citriodora performed well at sites at Marmor, Yeppoon and Rockhampton. A 90% survival rate was reached at the Rockhampton site, crown breaks were high at an average of 6.1 m due to pruning and a dense, sheltered planting. The trees here had good form and will have a high product potential when they reach harvestable age. Located on a ridgeline in this low lying area, the trees have been less affected by frosts, contributing to the good survival rate. However, an average height of only 11.6 m in 15 years was reached with an average DBH of 11.4 cm. The soil at this site is mapped by Natural Resources Mines and Water (2005) as grey, self mulching, cracking clay. C. citriodora’s surface roots don’t cope well with cracking soils and this may have contributed to the slower growth rate at this site compared to the yellow and red duplex soils at the Yeppoon and Marmor sites.

The Marmor site provided better growth rates on the infertile deep heavy clay/loam soils. Trees reached an average height of 13.3 m in 12 years, and a DBH of 11 cm, but only a 50% survival rate was achieved. Many of the deaths were caused by competition from larger native trees at one end of the trial. This part of the site was poorly drained, a characteristic not favoured by C. citriodora (DPI&F, 2005b). The performance of C. citriodora on this site is better than would be expected because Marmor has the lowest annual rainfall (landholder records 589 mm/year, with the last 10 years of the 12-year-old planting receiving only approx 330 mm/year). C. citriodora usually prefers greater than 600 mm/year (Jovanovic & Booth, 2003). The Cawarral site grew healthy 19 m trees at a 40% survival rate over 25 years, while the four-year-old Forestry site at Yeppoon has trees reaching 9.3 m, on shallow silty clay soils with a coffee rock underlay. Three of the past five years have been record drought in Yeppoon. The Marmor site has shown that C. citriodora can perform reasonably under much less rainfall than expected. C. citriodora performed poorly on the black, cracking clay at the Alton Downs site with a 24% survival rate and the 20-year-old trees averaged less than 10 m in height.

In SEQ, C. citriodora (most likely C. citriodora subsp. variegata) had a good survival rate at Mt Berryman and produced straight stems, but trees only reached a height of 13 m in 21 years. C. citriodora at Mt Berryman fared much better than those at the Gatton site. The lack of successful growth of this species and the many other species planted at the Gatton site would be attributed to a combination of minimal management, low rainfall and a fire in 1991.

Corymbia henryi C. henryi grown at Tarome, was both the tallest and had the largest DBH on average for the trees measured in SEQ. Tree form was also good. The conditions at this Tarome site very much suited the species, with a clay/loam soil and sufficient annual rainfall (rainfall requirements of 830– 1745 mm/year (Jovanovic & Booth, 2002). The resultant growth rate was over 22.3 m in 21 years. C. henryi is highly susceptible to Quambalaria piterika (Ramularia shoot blight, or RSB) and is not recommended for plantation establishment (Dickinson et al., 2004, Lee et al., 2005a). However, Dickinson et al. (2004) found that individual trees from the Gold Coast and Myrtle Creed provenances showed resistance to RSB in an assessment of 1-2 year old trees. In this same experiment, RSB infection was been found to be closely related to local climatic conditions, with areas with a mean annual rainfall of <750 mm generally less affected by RSB. The drought of recent years may have helped C. henryi at Tarome to avoid RSB infection.

Corymbia tessellaris From a small sample set of five specimens at one CQ site (Callide East), it is difficult to derive good survival and growth assumptions for E. tessellaris.

Corymbia torelliana C. torelliana achieved similar height and DBH measurement for all CQ sites despite up to 16 years difference in age. This is most likely due to variations in management input. C. torelliana performed best at the four-year-old Forestry Trial site at Yeppoon where it was planted as a single row amongst a block planting of other species. Here it averaged 5.8 m height in four years on shallow silty clay to 0.3 m with coffee rock below. Although age was undeterminable, specimens at Bungundarra showed very good form for a site that received very minimal maintenance. This was on hard pedal mottled, red duplex soils with a moderate westerly slope. The sheltered nature of this amenity planting would have contributed to the straight stems. All other sites showed only average form ratings (heavy, early branching with crooked stems), rendering the wood product only useful for pulp/woodchips.

Eucalyptus argophloia E. argophloia performed well with tall, straight stems and good growth (19.8 m height and DBH 41.5 cm in 19 years) on the the grey cracking clay soils at Callide East, and on black duplex soil on alluvial plains (Callide West). These results are similar to a 20-year-old planting at nearby Biloela DPI station where trees averaged a height of 24.3 m and DBH of 39.2 cm (Dickinson et al., 2005a). E. argophloia prefers lower than 900 mm/year rainfall, will perform well on a variety of soils, and is highly frost tolerant (Dickinson et al., 1998b; Lee et al., 2005b). The maintenance during establishment at both these sites was high, but both were strip plantings, with specimens suffering edge effect. The six surviving specimens at Alton Downs site did very poorly, most displaying signs of poor health. Most of the other species here performed poorly and may have been affected by spray drift. In SEQ, E. argophloia performed reasonably at the Kalbar North site where the heavy clay soil is prone to waterlogging and mild salting. E. argophloia is endemic to Chinchilla’s heavy clay soils and will grow on medium to heavy clays with a high pH (Lee et al., 2005b). It is also relatively tolerant of saline soils (12–20 dS/m) (Lee et al., 2005b). For these reasons E. argophloia showed a good survival rate of 59%, have obtained reasonable size measurements and form.

Eucalyptus cloeziana E. cloeziana is performing well at the Forestry Trial site at Yeppoon (average height of 8.2 m in four years, DBH 12.3 cm), although drought is causing some dieback in the tips. Previous trials have shown this species can average 10.8 m at 2.5 years at 400–600 stems per hectare for the top 200 stems per hectare (Dickinson et al., 1998b). In other trials an average height of 5 m has been reached in two years (Dickinson et al., 2005b). By providing optimum weed control and fertilising, the height increment of E. cloeziana during the first three months after planting can be doubled compared to nil fertilising and weed control (Dickinson et al., 1998a). The Forestry plot would have received more weed control and fertiliser application, contributing to the good growth and survival rates. The Forestry site at Yeppoon performed much better than the Farnborough site, where only three specimens remained from approximately 20 originally planted. This is possibly due to excessive exposure on the open hillside strip planting. The large specimens with straight stems and high branching seen at the Bungundarra site can provide an indication of ideal conditions for E. cloeziana; well drained red duplex soil on a moderate slope, protected amongst a thick planting. At Mt Berryman in SEQ, E. cloeziana performed very poorly, this is likely attributed to insufficient rainfall for the species (<900 mm/year), and low fertility soils. E. cloeziana prefers more than 900 mm rainfall per year and moderate to high fertility soil (DPI&F, 2005a).

Eucalyptus crebra E. crebra was trialled in two strip plantings sites north of Biloela in CQ. The Callide West site, despite being seven years younger and affected by Ergon trimming, grew taller, wider trees. A higher level of maintenance was provided by the landholders on the Callide West property which may have contributed to this result. Neither site developed a high standard of wood product because of edge effect and lack of pruning. In SEQ, E. crebra was the only species to perform reasonably at the Forest Hill Sports Ground site, while others such as C. citriodora and E. grandis failed. The combination of low rainfall, and poor, shallow soil at this site may have favoured E. crebra which grows naturally in these conditions, E. crebra is both drought and frost resistant and can grow on a variety of soils, further adding to its chances of survival in this area (Sewell, 1997). The moderately alkaline, cracking clays would have impeded the success of other species such as C. citriodora at this site (DPI&F, 2005a).

Eucalyptus drepanophylla The five remaining E. drepanophylla trees did poorly on the yellow duplex soils at Glenmore when compared to the four-year-old Forestry Trial site at Yeppoon. The Yeppoon site received higher rainfall, better management and protected surroundings, whereas the Glenmore planting was more exposed and received less rainfall and minimal management. In other trials E. drepanophylla showed low to moderate growth and good drought tolerance to age eight years on duplex soils west of Mundubbera (Dickinson et al., 2005a). In SEQ, E. drepanophylla had a low average crown break at 4 m on the light clay soil at Mt Berryman. The average growth in height of 11m (0.52 m/year) for the 21 year old planting was far below the species potential of 1.7 m/year over four years as seen in the Forestry Trial site. Form and stem diameter were otherwise good.

Eucalyptus dunnii E. dunnii is known for high growth rates and can tolerate frost but does not like poor drainage. Research carried out in South Africa on this species suggests an optimum mean annual temperature range of 15.5–18.5°C in drier regions. E. dunnii also prefers high fertility soils and performance declines when on poor soil types such as duplex soils or those with poorly drained subsoil (Lee et al., 2005c). Recent studies indicate this species has declining or variable growth and survival (up to the age of three) with less rainfall (e.g. 600–900 mm/year) and with less consistent rainfall over drier months (Lee et al., 2005c). E. dunnii showed average results on the red duplex soil at Tarome reaching an average height of 16 m and a DBH of 26 cm for the 21-year-old planting. Growth rates of 6 m in two years, and 10 m in three years have been observed in other experiments near Aratula and Blackbutt respectively (DPI&F, 2005b). The growth rate of E. dunnii at Tarome was likely to have been impeded by insufficient rainfall and inappropriate soil type.

Eucalytus microcorys E. microcorys (tallowwood) is naturally found in hilly or mountainous country where humidity is high and rainfall averages 900–1500 mm/year with most falling in summer (Holliday, 1995). This species is also frost tolerant with branching naturally occurring at two thirds stem height (Holliday, 1995). The survival rate of 60 % for E. microcorys at the Tarome site in SEQ can be attributed to the high level of maintenance provided by the landholder. Stems were reasonably straight but low, heavy branching persisted, this may be a response to a low intensity fire in 2002–2003.

Eucalyptus moluccana E. moluccana did poorly at all three CQ sites. The best growth (15.5 m height in 14 years, 23.6 cm DBH) was seen at the six remaining specimens at Glenmore, but low branching and poor form was common at all sites. Stems were straighter at Alton Downs and Biloela, but growth was very slow. In a trial by DPI&F, E. moluccana has shown good growth rates of 5–6 m height after three years on black earth soils in Monto. These trees showed high drought and frost tolerance, but were likewise prone to multi-stemming and crookedness (Dickinson et al., 2005a). The provenance of E. moluccana can affect stem straightness, unfortunately provenance details for this trial were no longer available.

Like C. citriodora, the growth of E. moluccana at the Gatton site in SEQ was considerably slower when compared to CQ growth rates, despite that fact that E. moluccana was planted in block design in SEQ which should have encouraged taller growth. Like C. citriodora at this site, the slow growth of E. moluccana at the Gatton site is probably related to the minimal management, low rainfall and the 1991 fire.

Eucalyptus punctata Under good growing conditions, E. punctata’s form is generally good with a straight bole extending for one-half or two-thirds of the height of the tree (DPI&F, 2004). This species performed reasonably in a strip planting in black smooth ped earths at Kalbar Showgrounds, SEQ. All of these trees were subject to edge effect but stems have remained relatively straight.

Implications The management of the visited CQ sites was of a considerably higher standard than the SEQ sites, with more plots planted in block designs and maintained in a professional manner. Thus, better conclusions are able to be derived from CQ.

Central Queensland C. citriodora has performed well on a variety of soils in Rockhampton and Yeppoon, with the best results coming from well managed, block trials around the higher rainfall area of Yeppoon.

From the limited data gathered from the two strip planting plots, E. argophloia has indicated good promise as a plantation species for the Biloela region. Continued monitoring of current DPI&F trials of E. argophloia at Biloela is recommended to assess the product potential of this species under plantation conditions at Biloela.

E. cloeziana performed well in the managed Forestry Trial site near Yeppoon. Specimens of undeterminable age are showing excellent form and height at another protected site near Yeppoon. Exposed sites do not seem to suit this species.

From the sites visited at Yeppoon, the performance of C. torelliana seems to be mostly determined by good management input, with better results achieved at well managed, block trials.

Most of the remaining unsuccessful species of CQ were strip planted in low numbers for amenity. This greatly affected the amount of useful data collected. To deduce useful farm forestry information, well-managed, block trial assessments for these species need to be undertaken.

South East Queensland C. henryi performed well at the Tarome site. This result was surprising as this species is commonly affected by RSB. The drought of recent years, or the provenance of the trees planted may have suppressed RSB.

E. punctata and E. argophloia showed only average performance on black smooth ped earths at the higher rainfall area of Kalbar, SEQ. While all other species measured in SEQ showed poor yearly growth.

Recommendations

Species to site matching The results from this study indicate a good potential for E. argophloia to be grown for forestry timber purposes in the Biloela region. This study has confirmed results from previous trials (Dickinson et al., 2005a), that this species is adapted to low rainfall conditions, will grow successfully on a variety of soils, and is frost tolerant. This species will also grow reasonably well in the higher rainfall area at Kalbar.

C. citriodora (most likely C. citriodora subsp. citriodora for CQ) is also suited to a variety of soils and will grow under much lower rainfall areas than the >600 mm/year estimated by Jovanovic and Booth (2002). The low fertility grazing soils and low rainfall at Marmor did not greatly impede growth rates for this species. The block planting on grey cracking clays at the Rockhampton did not perform as well as other sites in terms of growth rate, confirming the species’ aversion to cracking clays.

E. cloeziana performed well on duplex soils in well protected and high rainfall areas around Yeppoon.

Future work From the CQ sites, the 25-year-old site at Cawarral which has C. citriodora trees nearing harvest, would be suitable for timber quality assessment. There are approximately 400 trees left on site.

The 12-year-old planting at Marmor showed reasonable rates on poor soils and although the site is small, it may be of interest for future monitoring, to track the progress of C. citriodora in the low rainfall Marmor region.

The four-year-old Forestry Trial site showed very good growth and survival rates for a variety of species (many more than the key species mentioned in this report). This site, although probably already being monitored by Forestry, may be of interest for future research or used as a comparison site.

In SEQ, the only site worthy of a revisit would be the Tarome site which had three species with good survival rates. Of interest, would be C. henryi which performed well despite this species generally not being recommended for forestry planting (because of its susceptibility to RSB).

In CQ, there are four remaining sites from the 15 prioritised that were not visited. These may offer additional results for species trials. There was a block planting of E. argophloia and E. cambageana amongst other species at Capella. There are also strip plantings at Rubyvale, a small planting at Bouldercombe, and a site at Emerald.

References

Boardman, R., Bush, D., Butcher, T., Harwood, C., Spencer, D. & Stackpole, D. (2002) Australian low rainfall tree improvement group: compendium of softwood tree improvement strategies. RIRDC Publication No 02/028, ACT.

BOM (2006) website. Climate Averages for Australian sites. At: www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/, Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology, July 2003.

Borschmann, G. (2003) Species Trial Measures 2003. Report by Greening Australia

Borschmann G.R. and Johnston, J.B. (1991) An assessment of tree trial plots in the Lockyer and Fassifern Valleys. Greening Australia – Queensland, Produced with the assistance of the Commonwealth Government and the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service through the One Billion Trees Program

Boxshall, B., Jenkyn. T (2001) Farm Forestry species profile for north central Victoria: River she- oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana). Natural Resources and Environment.

Carter, E. J. (1987) From seed to trial establishment: a handbook giving practical guidelines in nursery practice and the establishment of simple species and/or provenance trials. DFR User Series No. 2, Australian Tree Seed Centre, CSIRO Division of Forest Research.

Dickinson, G., Huth, J., Lee, D., Lawson, S., & House, S (2005a) DPI&F Regional profile series. Region 5 Central Queensland – Inland. At www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld/

Dickinson, G., Huth, J., Lee, D., Lawson, S., & House, S (2005b) DPI&F Regional profile series. Region 4 Central Queensland – Inland. At www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld/

Dickinson, G. R., D. J. Lee, J.R. Huth (2004) Early plantation growth and tolerance to Ramularia Shoot Blight of provenances of the spotted gums taxa on a range of sites in southern Queensland. Australian Forestry 67(2): 122-130.

Dickinson, G.R., Lewty, M.J. and Huth, J. (1998a) Hardwood plantation silviculture research in south-east Queensland. In Plantations and Regrowth Forestry: A Diversity of Opportunity: Proceedings Australian Forest Growers Biennial Conference, Lismore, 1998, 434-435.

Dickinson, G.R., Lewty, M.J. and White, P. (1998b) Growing eucalypt plantations in southern Queensland: current forestry prescriptions and new directions. Managing and Growing Trees Training Conference, Kooralbyn, Queensland, 1998, CD-ROM 381-385.

DPI&F (2004) Timber species notes: grey gum. At: www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld/13301.html

DPI&F (2005a) Selecting sites for hardwood plantations. At: www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld.

DPI&F, (2005b). Regional profile series: Region 8 Moreton. At: www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld/11241

DPI&F (2006) Hardwood timbers website. At: http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld/

Harper, S., Deuter, P. & Galligan, D. (1999) Vegetable production in the Lockyer and Fassifern Valleys, eastern Darling Downs & Toowoomba range. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. At: www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/horticulture/5170

Jovanovic & Booth (2002) Improved species climatic profiles. RIRDC publication No 02/095, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, ACT.

Lee, D., Lawson, S., Armstrong, M. & Dickinson, G. (2005a) DPI&F Hardwoods Advice. Species profile: Spotted gums. At www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld

Lee, D., Lawson, S., Dickinson, G. & House, S. (2005b) DPI&F Hardwoods Advice. Species profile: Western White gum (Eucalyptus argophloia). (www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld)

Lee, D., Lawson, S., Dickinson, G. & House, S. (2005c) DPI&F Hardwoods Advice. Species profile: Dunn’s white gum (Eucalyptus dunnii). ( www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld)

McLeod, I., Vercoe, T. & Robins, L (in press) Designing farm forestry trials for species and provenance selection. RIRDC project CSF- 56A, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.

Natural Resources and Mines (2006) Interactive Resource and Tenure Maps. www.nrm.qld.gov.au/science/geoscience/tenure_maps.html, September 2005.

Sewell, A. (1997) Australian Timbers Volume One. Commercial timber species of Eastern subtropical Australia. Foremost Printing, Palmwoods.

Appendix 1 – Central Queensland site profiles

Site name Callide East Location Callide (10 km north of Biloela) Site design Three separate windbreak rows Windbreak 1: located at drainage line at bottom of hill, initially four rows, since thinned to two rows (400 m × 15 m). Tree spacing 5 m × 10 m. Windbreak 2: located in a cropping paddock, two rows (200 m × 5 m). Tree spacing 7 m × 5 m. Windbreak 3: located near road and powerlines, three rows (200 m × 6 m). Tree spacing 3 m × 4 m. Site preparation Site cultivated, holes dug with mattock. Site maintenance Planting mulched with straw, watered with drip irrigation until established and mowed regularly for 1–2 years. Weeds controlled by cultivation along rows twice yearly. Site threats Some smaller trees damaged by stock. Age 19 years Rainfall 459 mm/year (from property Trees planted 630 (approx) records) Area planted 0.8 ha Soil appearance Brown light to medium clay with Aspect Gentle southerly slope ironstone NRM mapping Grey, self mulching cracking clays Successful species E. argophloia Unsuccessful C. citriodora, E. moluccana, E. sideroxylon, E. crebra, E. tessellaris, species E. tereticornis and E. camaldulensis Comments The 1993 planting recorded in the database never went ahead due to poor site conditions according to the landholder. The previous planting in 1986 was measured instead. This planting supported a number of key species.

5 Axis of persistance

4 Stem Straightness Branch habit 3

Health

Rating (1-6) Rating 2 Product 1 potential

0 E. E. crebraE. C. citriodora E. argophloia E. C. tessellaris E. moluccanaE. camaldulensis Species sideroxylonE. Plate 1. E. argophloia at Callide East Form ratings for key species at the Callide East Site

The Callide East planting is 19 years old. E. argophloia showed good results with 20 m height (an average yearly growth rate of 1.04 m) and 41 cm DBH (average yearly DBH of 2.18 m) for the 11 remaining plants. This species was commonly found with double leaders, which, with trimming or appropriate planting design, may have been alleviated. Other species on site performed poorly including C. citriodora, E. crebra, E. sideroxylon and E. moluccana, with heavy branching and crown breaks no higher than 4 m on average. E. camaldulensis and C. tessellaris performed very poorly.

Site name Callide West Location Callide (10 km north of Biloela) Site design One windbreak row (2 m × 800 m) along road and powerlines. Tree spacing 4 m × 2 m. Site preparation Tyres placed around trees for moisture and pest protection, mulched with hay. Site maintenance Regular watering for over a year after planting, mowed regularly. Site threats Trimming and culling by Ergon Energy Age 12 years Rainfall 459 mm/year (from Trees planted 505 property records 1993- Area planted 0.2 ha 2005) Aspect Flat Soil appearance Fine alluvial clay/silt NRM mapping Hard pedal black duplex soils on alluvial plains Successful species - Unsuccessful E. crebra showed reasonable growth rates but poor form. species Comments Survival rate was good due to high maintenance during establishment phase. Only one specimen of E. argophloia remained after trimming and culling (17 m tall, DBH 32cm). Other species planted include E. tereticornis, Callistemon viminalis, Melaleuca bracteata, M. linariifolia, Casuarina cunninghamiana. These species performed reasonably.

2 Rating (1-6) 1

0 Axis of Stem Branch habit Health Product persistance Straightness Potential Characteristics

Plate 2. Strip planting at Callide West property Form ratings for E. crebra at Callide West property

The Callide West planting from 1993 is alongside powerlines and has been significantly affected by recent trimming and culling by Ergon Energy. This has in turn affected the survival rate and height measurements. A high level of management was provided by the landholder, particularly during establishment. All plants on this strip planting were influenced by edge with most exhibiting low branching and crooked stems. E. crebra has reasonably good growth, with better height, crown break and DBH than the 19-year-old planting at Callide East. However, poor form (heavy branching, crooked stems) renders the product only useful for woodchips or short sawlogs. There was one remaining western white gum (E. argophloia) which had good form and impressive growth with a height of 17 m and a DBH of 32 cm. This specimen was possibly one of the smaller trees from the stand in order to survive culling, indicating a possible potential for this species. The planting performed well as an amenity screen to block the noise and view of a nearby road.

Site Name Marmor Location Marmor (50 km south of Rockhampton) Site design Block, 40 m × 80 m. Tree spacing 2.5 m × 3.0 m Site preparation Ripped rows, planted after rain. Site maintenance Mowed occasionally. Site thinned by previous owner (Nagel) in 1994–1995 to encourage growth. Cattle now graze area. Age 12 years Rainfall Generally 589 mm/year, last 10 years Trees planted 300 (approx) only approx 330 mm / year. Area planted 0.3 ha (landholder estimate) Aspect Flat Soil appearance Duplex soil, deep heavy clay loam, low fertility NRM mapping Hard pedal yellow duplex soils Successful C. citriodora species Unsuccessful No other species trialled here. species Comments Brachychiton spp., have been trialled by the original owner but failed due to the poor soils.

3 Rating (1-6) 2

0 Axis of Stem Branch habit Health Product persistance Straightness potential Characteristic Plate 3. C. citriodora at Marmor Form ratings for C. citriodora at the Marmor site

The C. citriodora site at Marmor was 12 years old, with an average height of 13.3m (yearly growth rate of 1.11 m) and an average crown break at 6.5 m. Average DBH was 11 cm (0.92 cm/year). Survival rate for the site was approximately 50%, with a lot of the losses occurring from competition from large native trees at one end of the trial. Straight stemmed, healthy trees with a high axis of persistence resulted in a product potential for sawlogs with the possibility that in time poles may be possible.

Site name Alton Downs Location Alton Downs (20 km north west of Rockhampton) Site design Row of 2 (3 m × 500 m). Tree spacing 3 m × 4 m. Site preparation Planting into cultivation by mattock. Site maintenance Watered until established. Trees also receive water and nutrient runoff from adjacent cotton fields. Age 20 years Rainfall 1973–1994 average 551 mm/year Trees planted 370 1995–2005 only approx Area planted 0.15 ha 320–330 mm/year Aspect Flat (from property records) Soil appearance Heavy black cracking clay soils NRM mapping Hard pedal yellow duplex soils Successful None species Unsuccessful C. citriodora, C. torelliana, E. argophloia, E. moluccana. species Comments The 1989 planting recorded in the database showed poor growth and survival due to a lower level of maintenance, less runoff and nutrients and higher grass competition (Plate 5). The previous planting in 1985 carried out by Greening Australia and the landholder showed better results and was therefore measured.

Axis of 4 persistance Stem Straightness 3 Branch habit

Health Rating (1-6) Rating 2 Product potential 1

0 E. argophloia C. citriodora E. moluccana C. torelliana Species

Plate 4. E. argophloia at Alton Downs. Form ratings for key species at the Alton Downs site.

All species at the Alton Downs site showed below average growth and form. E. argophloia and C. torelliana performed particularly poorly showing obvious signs of poor health. The results for all species on this cotton growing property may be attributed to spray drift, combined with a low level of management and edge affect on all trees.

Site name Glenmore Location Rockhampton township Site design Block of 12 rows (60 m × 30 m). Tree spacing 3 m × 5 m. Site maintenance Watered and mowed regularly during establishment. Mowed regularly since. Age 14 years Rainfall 805 mm/year (65-year average Trees planted 120 1939–2004 Rockhampton Area planted 0.18 ha BOM records) Aspect Flat Soil appearance Alluvial clay/loam NRM mapping Hard pedal yellow duplex soils Successful - species Unsuccessful None were found in outstanding condition. C. citriodora, species E. drepanophylla, E. moluccana, and E. sideroxylon appeared healthy but had low branching. Comments Three E. sideroxylon remained with an average height of 10 m, DBH 14.5 cm and very low crown break at 0.2 m

5 Axis of persistance 4 Stem Straightness Branch habit 3

Health

Rating (1-6) Rating 2 Product potential 1

0 C. citriodora E. drepanophylla E. moluccana Species

Plate 5. Block planting at Glenmore. Form ratings for key species at Glenmore

The Glenmore planting is a small block of amenity trees planted in 1991 at a school. Of the four key species, none showed good form, with low crown breaks and axis of persistence resulting in suitability as woodchips or pulp only. E. moluccana reached a height of 15.5 m (yearly growth rate of 1.1 m); however, most of the trees were multi-stemmed from 0.2 m. There were also very few of each species remaining to generate good comparisons.

Site name Rockhampton Location Rockhampton township Site design Block of 11 rows, 50 m × 400 m (tree spacing 2 m × 4 m) Site maintenance Grown and maintained as a timber plot. Recent thinning by Forestry (2002–2004). Age 15 years Rainfall 805 mm/year (65-year Trees planted 400 average 1939–2004 Area planted 2 ha Rockhampton BOM records) Aspect Gentle westerly slope Soil appearance Alluvial loam NRM mapping Grey, self mulching, cracking clay Successful C. citriodora, E. tereticornis. species Unsuccessful E. cloeziana, E. crebra, E. microcorys, E. drepanophylla. species Comments Species planted: E. citriodora (100), E. tereticornis (100), E. crebra (100), E. cloeziana (10), E. microcorys (10), E. drepanophylla (10), E. pilularis (10) and an unknown number of Melaleuca, Acacia and Flindersia species.

Rating (1-6) Rating 2

0 Axis Pers Stem Branch habit Health Product Straightness potential Characteristic

Plate 6. C. citriodora at Rockhampton. Form ratings for C. citriodora at the Rockhampton site

The 15-year-old forestry plot at Rockhampton grows C. citriodora. Other key species on this site performed poorly and were subsequently culled during thinning to the advantage of C. citriodora. Performance has been reasonable with 11.6m height (an average yearly growth of 0.77 m), and an average crown break of 6.1 m. Specimens had good form, with straight stems, axis of persistence to the fourth quarter and a small amount of branching. Edge effects were minimal. With age this stand will potentially be harvestable for sawlogs or poles. However, diameters were small (average 11.4 cm or 0.76 cm growth per year). Queensland blue gum (E. tereticornis) was also used at this planting, and survival rates appeared good, their form however, rendered them only suitable for chipping.

Site name Bungundarra Location Bungundarra (15 km north-west of Yeppoon) Site design Scattered amenity planting, 400 m × 300 m. Tree spacing variable. Site maintenance Trees were watered for a month after plating and then dry field farmed. Age Not known (majority Rainfall 1312 mm/year (113 year planted in 1991) average 1891-2004 Trees planted not known Yeppoon BOM records) Area planted 12 ha Soil appearance Red volcanic (rocky), Aspect Moderate westerly slope deeply weathered. NRM mapping Hard pedal mottled – red duplex Successful species C. torelliana, E. cloeziana, C. citriodora Unsuccessful E. camaldulensis, Flindersia breyleyana species Comments This site was a scattered planting of trees around the homestead mainly for amenity purposes. The elderly resident claims to have been planting on site since the 1980s. This made locating plants from the 1991 planting very difficult. There are also no records of the number of each species planted, making survival rates also undeterminable.

5 Axis of Persistance 4 Stem Straightness 3 Branch habit

2 Health Rating (1-6) Rating

1 Product potential

0 C. citriodora E. cloeziana C. torelliana Species Plate 7. E. cloeziana at Bungundarra. Form ratings for key species at the Bungundarra site

Only general observations can be made from the Bungundarra site because of the difficulty in determining the age of the trees in this scattered planting. With a yearly growth rate of 1.57 m E. cloeziana had the fastest yearly growth rate of all CQ sites. C. torelliana (0.76 m height and 1.05 cm DBH per year) and C. citriodora (1.15 m height and 1.11 cm DBH per year) also showed good growth, with tall, straight stems and high branching. However, because age was difficult to determine at this site, these figures may be inaccurate. The site was on red volcanic soil and required little maintenance. E. camaldulensis did poorly here.

Site name Cawarral Location Cawarral (15 km south west of Yeppoon) Site design Three blocks. Tree spacing 4 m × 4 m. Block 1: 250 m × 25 m Block 2: 125 m × 20 m Block 3: 250 m × 30 m. Site Branches pruned to promote tall, straight growth. Cattle have grazed the Maintenance plot for the last 5–10 years. Specific management details unavailable. Age 25 years Rainfall 1312 mm/year (113 Trees planted 2400 (recorded in database), year average possibly only 1000 planted. 1891–2004 Yeppoon Area planted approximately 1.6 ha BOM records) Aspect Easterly Soil appearance Brown silty clay NRM mapping Hard pedal yellow duplex Successful C. citriodora species Unsuccessful No other species trialled here. species Comments Trees are large, and were well managed for the first 20 years.

Rating (1-6) Rating 2

0 Axis of Stem Branch habit Health Product persistance Straightness potential Characteristics

Plate 8. C. citriodora at Cawarral. Form ratings for C. citriodora at Cawarral

The Cawarral property, south-west of Yeppoon, is the oldest surveyed site at 25 years. The C. citriodora stand has been well managed and is in a high rainfall area. Average yearly height growth of 0.79 m and DBH of 0.84 m shows a reasonable growth rate. Their current average height of 19.7 m height to crown break of 8.9 m and DBH of 20.9 combined with notable straight stems makes them suitable for sawlogs or poles.

Site name Farnborough Location Farnborough (15 km north west of Yeppoon) Site design Two windbreak rows. Windbreak 1: three rows of C. citriodora and E. cloeziana (20 m × 4 m). Tree spacing 1.5 m × 3 m. Windbreak 2: single 20 m row of C. torelliana. Tree spacing 6 m. Site maintenance Unknown Age 14 years Rainfall 1312 mm/year (113 year Trees planted 150 average 1891-2004 Area planted 0.01 ha Yeppoon BOM records) Aspect Easterly slope Soil appearance Stony red clay NRM mapping Hard, pedal, mottled red duplex. Successful species C. citriodora Unsuccessful species E. cloeziana, C. torelliana Comments Property was formerly grazing country. The planting was established to alleviate erosion problems. Estimated initial planting; 40 C. citriodora, 20 C. torelliana, 20 E. cloeziana.

5 Axis of 4 Per s is tanc e Stem Straightness 3 Branch habit

Health

Rating (1-6) Rating 2 Product potential 1

0 C. citriodora C. torelliana Species

Plate 9. C. citriodora at Farnborough. Form ratings of key species at the Farnborough site

The small 1991 planting at Farnborough, near Yeppoon showed good results for C. citriodora with 13.4 m height in 14 years (an average yearly height growth of 0.95 m), a high average crown break at 5.8 m, and DBH of 15.3 cm (an average yearly DBH increase of 1.09 cm). Form was reasonable, but due to the strip planting, most trees suffered edge effect. C. torelliana and E. cloeziana both performed poorly. Only three E. cloeziana remained a the site that had low crown breaks and an average height of 8.7 m and DBH 14.2 cm, the poor result may be attributed to too much exposure offered by the sloping hillside. Management was low at this site. This planting was originally established to help alleviate erosion problems, the soil here now appears stable and no evidence of erosion was noted.

Site name Forestry Trial (Greening Australia Qld was directed to a Forestry trial plot planted in 2001). Location Bungundarra (15 km north-west of Yeppoon) Site design Block of 20-30 rows (300 m × 75 m approximately). Tree spacing 2.5 m × 3 m. Site preparation Rows ripped and mounded, weeds sprayed on planting. Site maintenance Thinning and trimming of C. citriodora has occurred recently. Age 4 years Rainfall 1312 mm/year (113 year average Trees planted 1000+ 1891-2004 Yeppoon BOM records). Area planted 2.25 ha Much less over last five years, with Aspect Flat three of the last five years being drought (from property records) Soil appearance Shallow silty clay to 0.3m, coffee rock below. NRM mapping Grey massive earths Successful species C. citriodora, E. cloeziana, E. drepanophylla, C. torelliana. Unsuccessful species None Comments The site has a large variety of species including E. grandis, E. robusta, Acacia spp, along with the key species mentioned.

5 Axis of 4 persistance Stem Straightness 3 Branch habit

Health Rating (1-6) Rating 2 Pr od 1 Potential

0 C. citriodora E. cloeziana E. drepanophylla C. torelliana Species

Plate 10. C. citriodora at the Forestry Trial. Form ratings for key species at the Forestry Trial.

The Forestry Trial Site, also at Bungundarra was a professionally grown and managed forestry plot planted in 2001. Up to 20 of each E. cloeziana, C. torelliana and E drepanophylla were planted, these showed good form and very good growth rates for a young plot. Crown breaks for these species are low; they are due for ground pruning. C. citriodora has also done well here. This site receives a high level of management. The C. citriodora and E. cloeziana had approximately 60-70% survival and reached an average height of 10-15 m and DBH 30 cm.

Appendix 2 – South East Queensland site profiles

Site name Boonah Location Boonah township Site design Block. Tree spacing 5 m × 5 m (approximately) Site preparation Soil ripped and hoed. Site maintenance Trees mulched on planting. Watered with travelling irrigation (duration and frequency unknown). Mown regularly and pruned. Age 20 years Soil appearance Heavy black soil Trees planted 1000 NRM mapping Black smooth ped earths Area planted Approximately 2.5 ha Aspect Flat Successful Casuarina cunninghamiana species Unsuccessful E. grandis, E. citriodora, E. dealbata, E. camaldulensis, E. punctata plus species many other Eucalypt, Corymbia and Acacia sp. Comments Little is known of the management history and numbers of each species planted.

Plate 11. C. cunninghamiana at the Boonah site

The Boonah site had suitable conditions for C. cunninghamiana to grow straight, attaining an average height of 11.2 m and DBH of 28.0 cm. The average crown break was 3.4 m. Many other species failed to show product potential at this site due to crooked stems and low branching.

Site name Gatton Location 4 km SE of Gatton township Site design Block. Tree spacing 4 m × 4 m. Site maintenance Watered after planting, slashed. Stock excluded, otherwise minimal management. Pasture competition low due to dry conditions. Site threats Suffered from low rainfall. A fire burnt evenly through the trial in February 1991. Age 21 years Soil appearance Clay loam, pH 6.0 Trees planted 340 (estimate) NRM mapping Hard pedal mottled – yellow Area planted unknown duplex soils. Aspect Flat Reasonable E. moluccana, C. citriodora. species Unsuccessful E. crebra, C. torelliana, E. camaldulensis, E. sideroxylon and species E. resinifera.

Plate 12. C. citriodora at the Gatton site

At the Gatton site, C. citriodora and E. moluccana reached 9.8 m and 10.7 m respectively. Several other species did poorly on this site.

Site name Forest Hill Sports Ground Location 8 km SE of Laidley township Site design Block design, amenity planting Site maintenance Mown regularly; evidence of irrigation pipes suggests supplementary watering was supplied. Age 21 years Soil appearance Heavy clay, top dressed Trees planted unknown (at least 65) loam pH 8–8.5 Area planted unknown NRM mapping Brown & red self mulching, Aspect flat cracking clays Reasonable E. crebra. Reasonable single specimens of E. argophloia and species E. moluccana. Unsuccessful C. citriodora, E. grandis, E. maculata, E. robusta, C. torelliana, species E. argophloia, E. moluccana. Comments Only E. crebra survived in sufficient numbers to measure.

Plate 13. E. crebra at Forest Hill Sports Ground

E. crebra showed reasonable results at Laidley, however growth rate has been slow at 11.3 m at age 21 years. The trees were heavily branching but had straight stems and a reasonable diameter of 20 cm.

Site name Kalbar North Location 1 km north of Kalbar township Site Design Block. Tree spacing 5 m × 4 m. Site preparation Site ripped and rotary hoed. Site maintenance Site mulched with barley stubble. Watered and slashed. Lower limbs have been pruned. Site threats Some hare damage apparent in 1984–1985. Severe storm in 1991 twisted and split trees. Age 21 years Soil appearance Heavy clay, pH 8.5 Trees planted 140 NRM mapping Black smooth ped earths Area planted 0.4 ha Aspect Northerly slope <5° Reasonable E. argophloia species Unsuccessful E. camaldulensis, E. robusta. species Comments Soil prone to waterlogging and mild salting. Trees located on the upland slope of a dryland salinity discharge zone. Salinity problem downslope of plot was not evident in 1991 assessment (Borschman).

Plate 14. E. argophloia amongst other species at the Kalbar North site.

E. argophloia did well at the Kalbar North site, with tall, straight stems. A good survival rate of 59% was achieved. Thirty-three E. camaldulensis were planted. These had performed well with a good survival rate when measured in 1991 but this species has since failed. Forty-three E. robusta were planted but these have also failed.

Site name Kalbar Showgrounds Location Kalbar Site design E. punctata planted in a single row along roadside. Site preparation Post holes dug, mulched and fertilised at planting. Tree guards used through winter 1984. Age 21 years Soil type heavy black cracking clay, Trees planted 270 trees pH 6.5 at surface Area planted 0.8 ha NRM mapping Black smooth ped earths Aspect flat Reasonable E. punctata species Unsuccessful Casuarina cunninghamiana did not exhibit plantation potential species Comments E. punctata all subject to edge affect. No planting plan available

Plate 15. Strip planting of E. punctata at the Kalbar Showgrounds

E. punctata performed well at the Kalbar Showgrounds; stems were very straight with an axis of persistence into the fourth quarter. Casuarina cunninghamiana had a high degree of stem taper and did not possess product potential.

Site name Mt Berryman Location Mt Berryman township Site Design Block Site preparation Holes dug with mattock, plants fertilised. Site maintenance Trees watered approx 15 times in the first 12 months. Considerable management input given to watering, hare protection and weed control. Site was grazed only occasionally. Site threats Hares attributed to the loss of several trees. Age 21 years Soil appearance Light clay pH 6.5 Trees planted 250 NRM mapping Bleached sands – uniform, coarse. Area planted 0.5 ha (approx) Aspect North-east slope Reasonable E. drepanophylla, C. citriodora. species Unsuccessful E. crebra, E. microcorys, E. tereticornis, E. cloeziana. species Comments none

Plate 16. C. citriodora at the Mt Berryman site.

At Mt Berryman, E. drepanophylla achieved a 60 % survival rate, with an average height of 11 m. C. citriodora grew to 13.1 m on average, with a DBH of 24.1 cm. E. crebra had good form but was small, E. microcorys had heavy branching, E. tereticornis was multi-stemmed with poor form while E. cloeziana was very small.

Site name Tarome Location Tarome Site Design Block design. Tree spacing 5 m × 5 m Site preparation Post holes dug, sides broken with crowbar. Site maintenance Good establishment conditions after planting. Regularly slashed, mulched yearly, fertilised twice since establishment (500 g/tree, fertiliser type unknown). Site threats Minor damage from cattle in July 1984, replanted 110 trees Nov 1984. Evidence of a fire passing through site around 2003 (Borschman, 2003), appeared to be low intensity, some trees killed, some scarred. Age 21 years Soil appearance Clay loam duplex, pH 6.0 Trees planted 800 NRM mapping Hard pedal red duplex soils Area planted 2 ha Aspect Southerly 5° slope Successful E. microcorys, E. dunnii, C. henryi. species Unsuccessful E. camaldulensis, E. grandis, E. seeana, E. tessellaris, E. torrelliana, species Casuarina cunninghamiana and many other Eucalypt species. Comments 20–30 of each species planted.

Plate 17. C. henryi at the Tarome site

At Tarome E. microcorys had straight stems unfortunately combined with heavy branching at this site. Height was less than desirable at 14.2 m. The survival rate for the three successful species was 54–63 %. C. henryi was the tallest and had the largest DBH (32.9 cm) for the trees measured in SEQ. Tree form was also good. E. dunnii showed average results on the red duplex soil at this site reaching a height of 16 m and a DBH of 26 cm.

Appendix 3 – Rainfall isohyet and geology maps for regions where trials were located 42